Trolley Times (ਟਰਾਲੀ ਟਾਈਮਜ਼)

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‘Trolley Times’

A Documentary in Three Parts
Estimated Duration: 120 mins.

Part I: Trolley Times
A group of young protestors started a bilingual (Punjabi & Hindi) and bi-weekly ’newspaper’ titled “Trolley Times” to be distributed for free among the protesting farmers on Delhi borders. The first part of the film engages with this historical movement through the publishing and distribution of this independent initiative. From the printing press the paper travels by train to the Delhi border along with a few hundred farmers who travel on a train daily from Punjab. A media which itself is under threat is used as a tool to disseminate and fight the state sponsored disinformation. This part of the film will introduce us to this young group of politically committed and active individuals and lead us to the masses who have gathered at these protests and the spirit behind their resolve to stay put till their demand for the repeal of three new farm laws is met.

Part II: The Republic
The grouping of farmers’ unions announced a ‘Tractor Parade’ as a parallel event to the 26th January Republic Day parade. It lead to a mammoth gathering of tractors from all over Punjab, Haryana and UP. It was a response to claim the democratic space that our republic guaranteed in its constitution, the democratic space that a vast section of our population finds in jeopardy. The enthusiasm preceding the parade had to be seen to be believed. Lakhs of tractors converged on Delhi. It also revealed a chink in the armour of the movement. There was some unforeseen events that put the movement on back foot. But the movement emerged stronger. This second part of the film deals with the fervour and spirit leading upto the events of 26th.

Part III: Testimonies
The third part of the film will be about the testimonies of the protestors who were arrested or detained by police after the 26th. This includes ordinary farmers who are still languishing in jail without even knowing under what charges have they been held. Some were caught for simply being in Delhi for some personal work, like shopping for groceries or even meeting relatives.